MEDIA RELEASE: School Violence Requires Solutions Beyond Expulsion
For Immediate Release
March 11th, 2026
CONTACT – Jeremy Steffan Edwards (Executive Director)
Letter to the Editor:
School Violence Requires Solutions Beyond Expulsion
The recent national discussion on school violence following remarks by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar reflects a concern shared by many parents, teachers and students across Trinidad and Tobago: our schools must be safe spaces where young people can learn without fear of bullying, intimidation or violence.
At The Silver Lining Foundation (SLF), we have spent more than a decade working with students, educators and families on issues related to bullying, school safety and youth wellbeing. Our work has included two national studies examining the prevalence of bullying in secondary schools across Trinidad and Tobago.
In 2016, SLF conducted the country’s first national school climate survey on bullying and gender-based violence across 20 secondary schools, with a sample of 651 students. The findings were deeply concerning. The survey revealed that 73% of students reported experiencing verbal bullying, 34% reported physical intimidation such as pushing, fighting or theft of belongings, and 37% reported cyberbullying through rumours or harassment on social media. Additionally, between 23% and 29% of students reported experiences involving sexually explicit taunts or unwanted touching.
In 2019, a follow-up National School Climate Survey expanded the research to 2,284 students across 39 secondary schools, providing the largest dataset on bullying in our education system to date. The findings confirmed that bullying and aggressive behaviour remain significant challenges in many school environments, affecting both student wellbeing and the overall learning climate.
These realities demand serious action. Teachers cannot effectively teach in classrooms where violence is tolerated, and students who want to learn should not have their education disrupted by intimidation or aggression.
However, international research also shows that expulsion alone is rarely an effective long-term solution. Students who are permanently removed from school without structured intervention are more likely to disengage from education entirely and become vulnerable to delinquency, gang recruitment and other negative outcomes.
At the same time, schools must be able to protect students and staff from serious or persistent violence. Removing chronically disruptive or violent students from mainstream classrooms may sometimes be necessary to safeguard the learning environment.
The evidence therefore points toward a balanced, structured approach that combines accountability with meaningful intervention.
One of the most pressing challenges in Trinidad and Tobago is that many schools lack sufficient psychosocial support services. Media reports have repeatedly highlighted the shortage of school guidance counsellors, leaving educators without the resources needed to identify and support troubled students before behavioural issues escalate into violence.
If we are serious about reducing school violence, we must strengthen these support systems.
The Silver Lining Foundation therefore proposes the development of a National Safe Schools Framework built around four key pillars.
First, prevention through education. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programmes should be incorporated into school curricula to teach empathy, conflict resolution, emotional regulation and respectful communication. Evidence shows that these programmes can significantly reduce bullying and aggressive behaviour.
Second, early intervention and psychological support. Schools require more guidance counsellors, psychologists and social workers to identify at-risk students early. Evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) have been shown internationally to help adolescents manage anger, develop empathy and reduce violent behaviour.
Third, family engagement and parenting support. Schools cannot address behavioural challenges alone. Structured parenting programmes and family counselling can help caregivers address patterns of aggression and conflict that often originate outside the classroom.
Finally, alternative behavioural support programmes should be developed for students who engage in serious violence. Rather than relying solely on expulsion, these programmes would provide structured environments combining education, counselling and behavioural intervention while protecting the safety of other students.
Addressing school violence requires collaboration between government, educators, families and civil society organisations. Evidence-based policies will give Trinidad and Tobago the best chance of reducing bullying and violence while protecting the educational opportunities of all our children.
Every child deserves a safe environment in which to learn and grow. Achieving this goal requires both accountability and support, ensuring that victims are protected while troubled youth are given the opportunity to change course before harm escalates further.
Jeremy Edwards
Executive Director
The Silver Lining Foundation
